The thought of a military band usually evokes images of rows of shimmering brass and sounds of lively marches a la John Philip Sousa. Rarely does one envision an electric light show, a full rock drum kit, and screaming guitar solos.
But the United States Air Force Academy Band’s popular music ensemble Blue Steel aims to shatter the old conception of the military band while still instilling the Air Force’s core values of integrity, service, and excellence in its listeners.
Set to perform a free concert in Santa Maria at the Fairpark on May 5 and one at Pismo Beach’s Dinosaur Caves Park on May 3, the group is including the two community concerts on its current tour of the Central Coast, which also includes a few performances at area schools and Vandenberg Air Force Base.
Blue Steel performs primarily pop and rock songs that are either on the charts now or are ingrained American classics.
“We go out to the high schools and perform, and the kids like to hear the new music,” said Tech. Sgt. Julie Bradley, vocalist and group leader for Blue Steel. “What kind of makes us unique is that we take a popular song and make it our own, or do a mash up of several popular songs.”
Performing at area high schools falls in line with the U.S. Air Force Academy Band’s mission statement of enhancing community relations and supporting the recruiting mission.
“I think we promote an image and spread the Air Force message,” Bradley said. “We go to towns where no one has ever seen anyone in uniform, and we talk about all the great things folks like us in the uniform are doing for us overseas.”
Bradley, who holds a master of musical education degree and is a classically trained vocalist, enlisted in the Air Force after auditioning for the Air Force Academy Band in 1999. She sang classical works with Air Force Concert Band before joining Blue Steel in 2001. She became group leader for the ensemble, which means she’s in charge of organizing and leading rehearsals, choosing music to be performed, and organizing resources at concerts both domestic and foreign.
“We deployed in 2008 and went to eight countries in 75 days,” she said. “That has to be the highlight of my career: going out there and supporting the troops and doing community outreach.”
While abroad, Bradley explained, Blue Steel performs for not just the stationed troops, but the host country as well.
“We are sort of ambassadors for the Air Force, and reflect a positive image of the Air Force through music,” she explained.
The chance to perform professionally and internationally isn’t a luxury a lot of musicians get to enjoy, but the members of Blue Steel have traveled the globe.
“I just think a lot of really different and great opportunities have been given to me,” Bradley said.
Blue Steel is a five-piece ensemble that exemplifies the classic rock’n’roll group: bass, guitar, drums, piano/keyboard, and vocals. The ensemble members include Bradley as vocalist, Master Sgt. Stephen L. Brannen on guitar, Tech. Sgt. Andrew J. Benton on piano/keyboard, Senior Airman Colin R. Trusedell, and Master Sgt. Christopher M. Gaona on drums. The group also travels with an audio engineer, Tech. Sgt. Paul McWhirter III, to keep sound levels at their best.
The upcoming shows at the Santa Maria Fairpark and Pismo Beach Dinosaur Caves Park are both free and meant for the community to enjoy and learn about the Air Force.
“We like to do the public concerts where people can come out and enjoy a nice hour-long rock show,” Bradley said. “We always thank the veterans in the audience and the members of the community for coming out.”
Enjoy the voices
The Allan Hancock College Singers, directed by Dr. Ann Lucas, present the spring concert “By Popular Demand,” featuring selections from Disney and Broadway standards on May 8 at 7 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 311 S. Broadway, Santa Maria. Cost is $7. More info: 922-6966, Ext. 3412, ralarcio@hancockcollege.edu, or hancockcollege.edu.
It takes four
The St. Petersburg Men’s Ensemble graces the Central Coast with its a cappella quartet singing of Russian Orthodox sacred music and Russian folk songs on May 10 at 7 p.m. at Orthodox Church of the Annunciation, 877 Francine Lane, Santa Maria. Another concert is May 16 at 7 p.m., St. Timothy Antiochian Orthodox Church, 403 North J St., Lompoc. Goodwill offerings will be accepted. More info: 489-9133, ohowe@ytc.com, or ytc.com.
Be a Maverick
The Maverick Saloon offers live entertainment, including country music by Kevin Banford and the Bakersfield Boys in concert May 4 at 8:45 p.m. followed by “Late Night with guest DJs” at 11:30 p.m. “Ladies Night” features Kevin Banford and the Bakersfield Boys performing in concert May 5 at 8:45 p.m., followed by guest DJs at the saloon, 3687 Sagunto St., Santa Ynez. More info: 686-4785 or mavericksyv@aol.com.
Contact Calendar Editor Joe Payne at jpayne@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in May 3-10, 2012.